Retired UF professor arrested in sex crimes sting

Staff report

Published: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

A former four-time teacher of the year in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy was arrested Thursday as officers with the Gainesville Police Department conducted an operation at Bivens Arm Park, 3650 S. Main St., targeting sexual offenses.

Gerald E. Gause, 73, was charged with prostitution and indecent exposure after police say he offered to perform a sex act on an undercover officer for $20 and then exposed himself and masturbated. Another undisclosed person was trespassed after offering free sexual favors to two of the undercover officers, police said.

After he was arrested, Gause denied agreeing to perform a sex act for money, police reported, though an audio recording was made of the incident that supported the officers' account, police said. Gause told the officers his wife was too sick for sex and that he was seeking some relief, police reported.

Gause retired in 2009 as an associate scholar in the college's Department of Pharmacodynamics, a university source confirmed Friday, and was recognized that year as the college's teacher of the year — his fourth time receiving the award.

In addition to teaching, Gause had published numerous articles on pulmonary physiology and pulmonary hypertension, according to the university.

Police said they conducted the operation after received complaints about behavior at the park.

<p>A former four-time teacher of the year in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy was arrested Thursday as officers with the Gainesville Police Department conducted an operation at Bivens Arm Park, 3650 S. Main St., targeting sexual offenses.</p><p>Gerald E. Gause, 73, was charged with prostitution and indecent exposure after police say he offered to perform a sex act on an undercover officer for $20 and then exposed himself and masturbated. Another undisclosed person was trespassed after offering free sexual favors to two of the undercover officers, police said.</p><p>After he was arrested, Gause denied agreeing to perform a sex act for money, police reported, though an audio recording was made of the incident that supported the officers' account, police said. Gause told the officers his wife was too sick for sex and that he was seeking some relief, police reported.</p><p>Gause retired in 2009 as an associate scholar in the college's Department of Pharmacodynamics, a university source confirmed Friday, and was recognized that year as the college's teacher of the year — his fourth time receiving the award.</p><p>In addition to teaching, Gause had published numerous articles on pulmonary physiology and pulmonary hypertension, according to the university.</p><p>Police said they conducted the operation after received complaints about behavior at the park.</p>